Consol, Va. Tech to launch carbon dioxide research

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The National Energy Technology Laboratory in Morgantown is backing a project to help Virginia Tech researchers and Consol Energy study the prospect of storing carbon dioxide in thinner, less-valuable coal seams.Pennsylvania-based Consol will try to sequester as much as 20,000 tons of the greenhouse gas that is believed to contribute to global warming.

Vice president of research Steve Winberg said Consol is donating three coalbed methane wells near Buchanan, Va., for the pilot project. The State Journal said the yearlong experiment is set to begin this fall.Michael Karmis, of Virginia Tech's Center for Coal and Energy Research, said teams will test the ability to inject CO2 and whether it can help recover coalbed methane.They expect the CO2 to be absorbed and say it might stimulate methane release.